Bio
A Lorain native, Melendez made his mark early at Lorain High School under Hall of Fame coaches Dale Reichert and Carl Hartman. A two-year team captain, he was an All-Buckeye Conference, All-Lorain County, All-District, and All-Ohio selection in both his junior and senior seasons. During his breakout junior year, Melendez set the single-season scoring record at Lorain High with 445 points, averaging 19.2 points and 9 rebounds per game while shooting 83% from the free-throw line. His senior year, he continued his dominance, leading the team as captain and earning First Team All-Buckeye Conference and Lorain County All-Star honors. In recognition of his outstanding high school career, Melendez was inducted into the Lorain County Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Following high school, Melendez continued his success at Lakeland Community College, where he served as team captain and established himself as one of the premier players in the Ohio Junior College Athletic Conference. He earned All-Conference, Conference MVP, and All-Region 12 honors while helping lead Lakeland to statewide recognition.
Melendez transferred to Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson, North Carolina, for his final two collegiate seasons. There, he was a two-time Team MVP, First Team All-Carolinas Conference selection, and Kiwanis Male Athlete of the Year in 1987. He captained Barton’s back-to-back conference championship teams that earned consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament, including a Sweet 16 appearance. Those squads were the first Barton teams in over 30 years to reach the national tournament, finishing with a combined 50-19 record over two seasons. In recognition of his impact, Melendez was inducted into the Barton College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
After college, Melendez embarked on an 11-year professional career in both Puerto Rico’s Superior Basketball League and the Dominican Republic’s Superior League. He was a league champion (1987 Morovis Titans & 1991 Humacao Grays), four-time league All-Star, three-time All-League selection, two-time All-Defense honoree, and League MVP during his career. Known for his consistency and leadership, Melendez averaged 12 points, 3.4 rebounds, and shot 53% from the field, 41% from beyond the arc, and 81% from the free-throw line during his career as a professional. He was also an alternate for the 1988 Puerto Rican Olympic Team.
In honor of his athletic achievements and positive influence on his hometown, the City of Lorain proclaimed December 27, 1987, as “Ricky Melendez Day.”